The F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association, is a voluntary bar association located in Palm Beach County. In the late 1970’s a group of Black attorneys from West Palm Beach began meeting informally on a monthly basis at a local restaurant. Among them were the Honorable Edward Rodgers, the Honorable Catherine Brunson, the Honorable Moses Baker, William Holland, T.J. Cunningham, Sr., F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. to name a few. Because of the positive impact Frank Malcolm Cunningham had as a member of the organization and in the community, after his death in 1978 the organization was formally named F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr., Bar Association.

2017-2018 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Nicholas C. Johnson, Esq.

“If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void…” President Barack Obama.

I voted for the first time in the 2004 Presidential Election, just two months after I was naturalized as a United States Citizen. I have always firmly believed that my voice can make a difference, because when all of our voices align to create a majority, we can indeed implement change. Each vote in itself is an exercise of democracy, and firm recognition of our gratitude to those who fought for this inalienable right.

This year’s theme of the F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr., Bar Association is “Ballots and Bridges: Shaping a stronger society through voting, civic engagement, and community service.” This theme is strongly influenced by my desire to educate our younger generation, in particular high school students in Palm Beach County, about the importance of voting and civic engagement. Efforts will be made to encourage these students to register to vote, go to the polls, and stay apprised of political issues that directly affect their respective communities.

The second aspect of this year’s theme is community service. We must recognize that members of our community view attorneys as individuals who can command change and work toward fixing an array of issues. Unfortunately, according to an online survey by Princeton University researchers, attorneys are also viewed as being low in warmth and trustworthiness. If we are going to be successful in helping others in our capacity as lawyers, we must be successful in helping others as humans. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once proclaimed that “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” We will be putting together several community service related events over the course of the next year, and we hope you will join us. Let’s be great together by serving together.